Improvement in chain-propellers for vessels



T. W CARTER.

Chain-Propellers for Vessels. N0.1 40,468, Pate'ntedJulyLl873.

AM PHOTO -umo GRAPH/0 ab. 1v. floss (muss Mac as) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICES THOMAS W. CARTER, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CHAlN-PROPELLERS FOR VESSELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 140,468, dated July 1, 1873; application tiled April 17, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS WHINREY OAR TER, residing in New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented a new and useful'Improvement in Apparatus for Propelling Boats, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the annexed drawing forming a part of the same, and in which- Figure 1 represents a vertical transverse section of a canal-boat with my improvement applied thereto. tical section of my improvement, showing its adjustment to the side of the hull of a boat. Fig. 3 is an end view of the same. Fig. 4 is a vertical central section of one of the hexagonal propelling-wheels having its angles supplied with recesses, which act in the capacity of trundles or teeth to grasp or take hold of the axes of the paddles, in imparting a rotary movement to the latter; and Fig. 5 is a side view of a section of the apparatus with a portion of the outer shell removed, showing the frictional rollers supplied to the endless belt or chain having thepaddles, and an upper and lower continuous rail or bearing, of which there are two, one for the rollers upon each end of the axes of the paddles.

In the designation of corresponding parts in the several figures identical letters are used.

This invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for propelling boats, and which may serve in the capacity of a water-wheel; and it consists,in the main, of an endless chain or belt, having paddles and passing around drums or wheels, the shafts or axes of the paddles having frictional rollers. My improvement consists in providing an upper and lower trough or channel for the reception and passage of the paddles by causing the deck of the boat to overhang the same, and in supplying the hull of the boat with cabins or structures having flanged sides, substantially as hereinafter more fully set forth. Remove the paddles, and in their place substitute the ordinary water-wheel buckets, and then adjust the apparatus in an inclined position, and we have a water-wheel.

In the drawing, A refers to the hull of the boat, through the sides of which pass the shafts of the propelling wheels or drums B B. The inner ends of the shafts are suitably connected Fig. 2 is a longitudinal verto an engine or other motor, while their opposite ends are journaled in the sides of the cabin or structure 0. D D refer to an endless chain or belt, the links of which are united by the axes of the paddles E, and which axes are supplied upon their projecting ends with frictional rollers e e, which move upon rails or ways 6 e fastened to opposite sides of the upper and lower portions of the hull A and the flanged portions of the structures or cabins G. The propelling drums or wheels B B are of a polygonal shape, and constructed with recesses or grooves cut in their angles, which act in the capacity of teeth or trundles in grasping the axes of the paddles, by which the latter are propelled or carried around when the said drums are put in motion. By so constructing the propelling or driving wheels or drums, and by their having the recesses, which act or serve as trundles or teeth, at the points of contact of each tangent, or situated at the angles of the said wheels or polygons, as above stated, they impart an eccentricity of movement to the paddles, both on entering and passing out of the water,wl1ich relieves the motive power of the retarding action of all negative, back, or dead water, thereby dispensing with heavy, doubtful, and costly machinery.

The structures or cabins 0 are erected within theinclosures, bounded by the endless belts or chainsD and the propelling or driving drums B B, as shown in Fig. 2, and serve for the reception of passengers or goods, as may be elected. Through this construction not only are theinclosures aforesaid utilized, but buoyancy, strength, and capacity added to the boat.

To furnish upper and lower troughs or passages for the paddles of the endless chains or belts D, by which they'may be guided and not interfered with in their action or movement, the deck of the boat is caused to overhang and extend downward a suitable distance and in proximity therewith, and laterally-projecting ters and the like, a series of bars, f, are fastenedin front of the lower troughs in any known Way.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- The combination, with the hull of the boat A, having its deck so constructed as to form troughs upon its lower side, of the structures orcabins O 0, having their sides supplied with flanges, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto signed my name this 8th day of April, 1873, in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOS. W. CARTER.

Witnesses:

W. T. HoUs'roN, A. WIIINREY CARTER. 

